September 27, 2006

September 27, 2006

This morning we head ten miles east to the Yorktown Battlefield Park. Yorktown was the site of the final battle of the Revolutionary War where George Washington defeated the British in a decisive victory. We see a movie at the Visitor’s Center and listen to a ranger talk about the battle. Afterwards we do most of the auto tour around the park visiting the highlights of the battle.

At the end of 1781 after a summer of war campaigns, British southern forces under Cornwallis were retiring to the coast of Virginia at Yorktown so that the British Navy could reinforce them. By this time, the French were more directly helping us in our war effort and Washington took advantage of fortuitous events to trap Cornwallis. The French Navy at our disposal blockaded the water entrance to Yorktown preventing British re-supply. The joint American and French armies marched to Yorktown, surrounded Cornwallis and proceeded to siege him. With huge cannon and gunpowder provided by the French, the armies jointly bombarded the British into surrender. It was in the nick of time as the British Navy arrived from New York with gun ships and fresh armies only five days later.

After touring the recreated earthwork lines and cannon emplacements on the battlefield, we walk next door to the old city of Yorktown where the British were holed up. Most of the city was destroyed in the siege but a few buildings still stand; the city looks like it is making a comeback as a cute tourist destination.

On the far end of Yorktown is the Yorktown Victory Center. This separate attraction run by Virginia is a history park on the Revolutionary War. Demonstrations manned by knowledgeable guides are fascinating. I especially like the cannon and musket firings, while Aimee likes the fire-making talk (she thinks it will help her if she gets on “Survivor”).